Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
Perhaps the PAF could even consider acquiring the ASELPOD to meet the JF-17’s air-to-ground mission needs. Roketsan could be consulted for sourcing laser-guided bomb (LGB) kits for Mk-81 and Mk-82 series general purpose bombs (GPB). TUBITAK SAGE’s HGK precision-guided bomb (PGB) kit for Mk-84 GPBs could be an option as well. Pakistan could consider the laser-guided rocket and Mizraak anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) as well. Overall, there is no shortage of options in the area equipping Pakistan’s aerial assets.
Pakistan Navy: Pakistan Navy had sought to acquire a corvette design from Turkey. Pakistan Navy is able to place new generation multi-mission frigates into its acquisition pipeline it could consider acquiring command and control as well as combat management systems from Havelsan (e.g. GENESIS).
There is a strong political will from both countries to translate their historic and cordial relations into a strong sustainable strategic partnership. In terms of capabilities, strong cooperative relationship in defense industries between the two countries is a major asset. The past ten years or so have witnessed a profound improvement in this area. Turkey is cooperating in armored vehicles, tanks, military communication systems and naval patrol boats in Pakistan. There is also the willingness on both sides to expand the relationship to further areas such as aerospace industries. Turkey has a growing economy, and a focus on improving its defense industry by producing its own technology in this area. Within this respect, there are great prospects for Turkey to cooperate with Pakistan and Turkey sees Pakistan not as a market where it can sell products, but a long-term reliable partner for cooperation.
Pakistan-Turkey Military Consultative Group (MCG) formed to work on extending cooperation and exchanging experiences in the fields of military training and defense production between the two countries and to review geo-political environment of the region in 1988. Both countries have established high level military dialogue group in 2001 for promoting defense cooperation and collaboration between the two countries. Both the countries have been doing joint military, naval & air exercises Aman & Indus viper series.
Pakistan has been participating in F16 Anatolian eagle exercises in Turkey since 2004 and exchange of T37 & F16 pilots, also exchange of two pilots each for basic training (agreement signed in June 2016. Other agreements include F16 upgradation in Turkey and purchase of defense equipment from Turkish vendors like attack helicopters and electronics.
Moreover, during the 4th meeting of High Level Strategic Co-operation Council (HLSCC) held earlier this year Pakistan and Turkey signed 11 agreements and MOUs to strengthen and institutionalize their strategic cooperation. In maritime collaboration sixteen thousand tones fleet tanker is being built in Karachi shipyard with the support of Turkish firm which is landmark defense collaboration. Another initiative was the defense industry collaboration of Qatar, Turkey and Pakistan initiated by Ministry of Defense of Pakistan. Turkey has already provided Pakistan with thirty-four T-37 fighter trainer aircrafts and their spare parts free of cost.
Both countries have made remarkable progress in military cooperation and their collective efforts and expertise can complement each other to contribute to achieve greater regional and global peace and prosperity. Turkey and Pakistan can play more decisive role in settling the crisis in Muslim world i.e. Arab Spring, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, flight against ISIS, instability in Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir and Cyprus conflict and others. Turkey and Pakistan jointly can bring other Muslim countries to address these issues.
The emerging geo-strategic paradigm around the world poses new security threats. Rise to non-state security actors, terrorism, human trafficking, extremism and constant political chaos in most of the Muslim countries have rocked the world. Horizontal and a vertical expansion of security threats in the world are on the move. Horizontal broadening in the sense of incorporating “new” non-military aspects of security, such as environmental, economic, demographic, criminal, terrorist, health, information, immigration and other aspects. Vertical broadening in the sense of security referring to incorporation of other non-state referent objects, such as individuals, local communities, groups of people by common ethnic, religious or ideological characteristics, global community etc. Turkey and Pakistan can jointly make efforts to eradicate the menace of all these horizontal and a vertical security threats.
Turkey and Pakistan have had long trustworthy relations, which have been strengthened by growing economic cooperation between the two governments in sectors such as energy, transport, communications, infrastructure, textiles, automobiles, agriculture, industry, food processing, dairy development, information technology, oil and gas, and trade.
Since independence Turkey has maintained friendly relations with Turkey owing to a largely common culture and geopolitical considerations.
Both countries are founding members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and part of the Developing 8 (D-8) countries as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). For the further strengthening of bilateral relations and economics ties, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a number of agreements including the Trade Agreement (1965), Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (1976), Prevention of Double Taxation Agreement (1988), and Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments Agreement (1997). Within the framework of the 1976 agreement, the countries established the Turkey-Pakistan Joint Economic Committee Mechanism. Since then, regular meetings have been held in Ankara and Islamabad with public institutions from both countries taking part to evaluate bilateral economic and commercial relations.
The Turkey-Pakistan Business Council was founded in order to strengthen relations between the private sectors of the two countries and encourage new business contacts. Turkey also initiated the Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit meetings in 2007 with the aim of establishing mutual confidence and cooperation among the three countries. Its latest meeting of the summit was held in Istanbul.
Cooperation between the two strategic partners received an even stronger push in 2013 when the Prime Minister of Pakistan visited Istanbul, followed shortly after by the Turkish Prime Minister’s visit to Pakistan in December 2013. Both heads of state agreed to strengthen their bilateral relationship for greater mutual gains: three important MOUs were signed between the Punjab Industrial Department and Turkey Cooperation Agency, Pakistan Railways and the Turkish Logistics Organization, and the Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority and Turkish Standards Institution. However, the most important product of this increasing cooperation has been the two countries’ mutual agreement to conclude talks concerning the PTA. From 2014 to date, rigorous negotiations are being carried to finalize long awaited free trade agreement between the countries. Moreover, most recent visit of Turkish Foreign Minister would become value-addition in further strengthening of bilateral relations and deepening of socio-economic ties and fostering of geo-political and geo-strategic understanding.
To be continued
Concluding Remarks
The Republic of Turkey and Pakistan are strategic partners. Both countries are indispensable partners working assiduously to promote peace and prosperity for their people and the region. Turkish former Prime Minister emphatically declared that Pakistan’s security was Turkish security and Pakistan’s flag was the Turkish flag and that Turkey would always stand by Pakistan. The affinity amongst the people of the two countries, nurtured by decades old cultural, religious and geo-political links is an almost unparalleled phenomenon in the history of bilateral relations between states.
The people of Turkey and Pakistan enjoy brotherly relations that are not only deep rooted in history but also are based on shared values and common national interests. Since the establishment of Pakistan, both countries have been extending exemplary support to each other during the most difficult times. Notwithstanding Turkey-Pakistan relationship is at best in political and cultural spheres, trade and economic relations do not reflect the depth of these brotherly ties and much is to be achieved in this area by the both governments and private sector businessmen of the two countries.
Turkey is an important country of the region and a worthy military and economic power. It has been taking keen interest in promoting peace in the region and bringing Pakistan and Afghanistan closer with a view to resolve the Afghan conundrum and building mutual trust between them. It launched a trilateral summit process between Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan in February 2007 to pursue this objective and it was as a result of continued Turkish endeavors that some visible progress was made at the eighth trilateral Summit in Ankara in 2014. The three countries agreed to enhance cooperation for regional security, stability and development.
Most recent visit of Turkish foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to Pakistan is opened a new chapter in the bilateral relations of both the countries. It further strengthened socio-economic ties. It further deepened political ties in terms of better understanding on different regional and global issues of mutual interests.
Following are given valid suggestions for the further strengthening of bilateral relations by transforming and achieving greater economic integration, defence ties, and common strategies against terrorism:-
(a) Early singing of Free Trade Agreement would be a ”game changer”. It would accelerate trade volumes, economic ties, joint ventures and the last but not the least, foreign direct investments. Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to sign a FTA to enhance bilateral trade to $10 billion besides inking an additional protocol to strengthen the protection available to Turkish investments in Pakistan.
(b) Establishment of “Special Economic Free Zones” on mutual basis would bring desired dividends of greater socio-economic integration, industrialization and above all technology transfer facilities in the days to come. At least 100 Turkish companies were already doing successful business in Pakistan. These companies have invested dollar 2.7 billion on various projects in Pakistan until 2014. More Turkish investment is expected in energy infrastructure and beverages projects. He disclosed that Turkish Coca Cola Company was expected to bring in dollar 250 million investment in Pakistan in next three years.
(c) Greater role of “Private Sectors” of both the countries would be important to enhance trade volumes because both countries have traditionally focused more on other markets, rather than each other’s. It must be changed now for the achieving befitting propositions for both the countries.
(d) Mutual cooperation of diverse sectors such as diary, agro-economy, energy, infrastructure, science & technology, civil aviation, banking and financial services must be initiated for win-win situation of both the countries.
(e) Swap of currencies may enhance bilateral trade volumes between the two countries.
(f) Establishment of “Joint Chamber of Commerce” would bring greater economic integration.
(g) Missing of “Direct Transportation Links” has been a serious constraint for promoting Turkey-Pakistan business activities and economic ties which must be transformed by initiating already agreed mega projects of “Rails” and “Communications”.
(h) There is still a lack of better understanding about the “Vast Opportunities” existing in the two countries. Then, there are safeguard duties on textiles acting as a constraint in the way of enhanced trade which should be removed immediately.
(i) Security cooperation on different domestic (police training, terrorism, extremism, broad management, scientific investigation) regional (Afghanistan, Kashmir) and global (Arab Spring, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, ISIS, etc. issues.
(j) Turkey and Pakistan need to be cognizant of traditional and nontraditional challenges emerging from complexities of changing security paradigm, which warrants enhanced cooperation between both sides in spheres of defense and security.
(k) Both countries should extend the cooperation in defense coproduction e.g. aerospace technology.
(l) Turkey and Pakistan and can go for integrational mechanism of defense coproduction that is for efficient use of the resources, produce one part here and upgradation in other country vice versa.
(m) Both countries need to take benefit from the opportunities of cooperation available in areas of maritime defense production, infrastructure, trade and economic corridors etc.
(n) Widening cooperation on “CPEC” by exploring new avenues would connect Pakistan and West Asia and Turkey, whose unique economic geography places it in a position of strength, and to act as a natural platform for connectivity with several regions and nations.
(o) Joint stance on “UN Security Council Reform”.
(p) More focused “Educational & Cultural Cooperation” between the two countries. Both countries have had a long-standing tradition of educational cooperation. Currently, according to the figures the number of Pakistani students in Turkey is close to 1,000, and they are studying in various disciplines from natural sciences to engineering to business administration.
(q) Both countries should energize OIC so that the multidimensional problems confronted by Muslim world could be resolved.
